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Prince William dedicates B.C. rainforest to Queen’s conservation program

But plans to show off the area around Bella Bella, B.C., and the Great Bear Rainforest to William and Kate were scuttled by high winds, choppy water and pouring rain.

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took a stroll through part of the Great Bear Rainforest on Monday after being welcomed to Bella Bella, B.C., by the Heiltsuk First Nation.

By The Canadian Press

Mon., Sept. 26, 2016

BELLA BELLA, B.C.—Prince William spoke today about the need to protect the environment as he dedicated a British Columbia rainforest to an initiative started by the Queen to create a network of conservation programs across the Commonwealth.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the Great Bear Rainforest on B.C.’s central coast on a day when their itinerary was blown apart by the weather.

Plans to show off the area around Bella Bella were scuttled by high winds, choppy water and pouring rain as a float plane tour of the forest and boat tour of the Bella Bella Harbour were cancelled.

The royal couple were in the area to experience indigenous culture in the small First Nation community and officially pronounce the Great Bear Rainforest part of the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy.

The initiative was launched last year to create a network of forest conservation programs involving all 53 countries in the Commonwealth.

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As part of the network, regions can share ideas and innovations about forest conservation and receive global attention for their efforts.

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, receive canoe paddles after unveiling a plaque in the Great Bear Rainforest in Bella Bella, British Columbia. (CHRIS WATTIE / REUTERS)

Early this year, the province and the Coastal First Nations including the Heiltsuk announced they would increase protection of the area, conserving 85 per cent of the forested areas from industrial logging.

William lauded the effort to protect the area as an example of what connects Commonwealth countries as they share the benefits of Canada’s knowledge and expertise in managing the forest.

“This is a substantial dedication, which will highlight a more collaborative approach to sustainable forest conservation,” he said.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge along with B.C. Premier Christy Clark walk through the Great Bear rainforest in Bella Bella, B.C., Monday. (JONATHAN HAYWARD)

“The establishment of the canopy is a loud and unambiguous statement that the citizens of all Commonwealth countries believe that nature is fundamental to the health of our societies. When we protect our rivers, oceans, atmospheres, or like today our forests, we are telling our children that their future prosperity cannot be disconnected from the health of the natural world.”

B.C. Premier Christy Clark announced Monday that a $1-million trust will be created to celebrate the royal visit and promote the unique landscape. The fund will help raise awareness about the Great Bear Rainforest and support ongoing research.

Clark said the protected area of 6.4-million hectares is about the size of Ireland and it took about a decade to reach an agreement on its management.

“It was a long, hard negotiation but we all recognize we have a unique responsibility to preserve this jewel for the world,” she added.

Heiltsuk First Nation Chief Marilyn Slett said William and Kate’s focus on youth during their tour of B.C. ties in with plans for the rainforest.

“While the canopy designation recognizes the work we did around land-use planning, the interconnection between our lands and our waters cannot be understated,” she said. “The Heiltsuk do this work because our children’s ... futures depend on it.”

The trip to the pristine coastal region comes after a day spent in Vancouver, including the city’s gritty Downtown Eastside.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge toured the pregnancy outreach program Sheway, learning how its services help mothers overcome challenges, such as drug and alcohol addictions.

On the couple's arrival in Canada, Prince William said he and his wife Catherine had asked "to meet as many people from as many walks of life as we can" while they were here. They're pictured here with Justin Trudeau and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. (CHRIS WATTIE/REUTERS)

Sheway was modelled on the Glasgow Women’s Reproductive Health Service Unit, which was opened by William’s mother Princess Diana in 1990 to serve women with major social problems.

Allison Wright, a mother of two under five, said the visit by the royal couple gave those who benefit from the program a chance to be seen as people “and not just a problem to be solved.”

The royal couple meets with Syrian refugees Yosra Alamahameed and her daughter, Reemus, during their visit to the Immigrant Services Society. (Getty Images)

William and Kate’s tour of Vancouver ended with a visit to the Kitsilano Coast Guard Station where the royal couple met first responders and discussed the mental-health implications of working in emergency services.

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